# What Do You Get For Someone Who Doesn't Like Anything? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 24, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681 "2003-07-24T18:23:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pezz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bb73d2/32.png) [@pezz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezz)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/41 "2003-07-25T15:31:55Z")
Geez, whatever happened to just making something for your mom? Merely glue some colored macaroni to a peice of paper shaped as a heart, slap on some random trinkets from underneath your couch coushin, write your name on it, and there ya go! Insta-present. However, it can easily turn into Insta-“why-the-hell-did-I-give-birth-to-you-,you-worthless-peice-of-elephant-droppings!!!” , So be careful. On another note… If your not artistically inclined, then I would deffinetly suggest sending her to a spa for a day or something. Or give her a vacum cleaner. Maybe even a Oujia Board. Then she can contact spirits, and as we all know, thats a gift in itself. And theres always the good old 19th century guillotine. The possibilities with that thing are endless. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/42 "2003-07-25T15:33:41Z")
My mother is awful to shop for. Nothing is ever good enough for her. So we ask her each year to give us a “wish list” and then we choose from it. A lot of the times the things she writes down is too expensive and we have to steer off the list and substitute. We substitute with gift certificates. Home Depot is always a sure thing! ---
**Author:** ![AV8R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AV8R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AV8R)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/43 "2003-07-25T15:45:53Z")
Assemble a bunch of family photos from years gone by and put them into one of those frames that will display 8-12 pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/44 "2003-07-25T16:07:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*[One of these adorable likenesses of Princess Di](http://www.franklinmint.com/tfmweb/shopping/product.asp?prod_id=24048&fm_cntry_cd=11&c_code=USD&super_theme_id=002&sub_theme_id=059&form_id=002&tfmGUID=FAF69163E02E47229300B8A7956039AF&orsr_url_addr=&nav=0&m=0), God love her. _sniff_ She was the _people’s_ princess… \*\* From the website: “Act now and see her in person!” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/45 "2003-07-25T16:10:03Z")
Make a donation in her name to some appropriate charity. In this case, some non-profit that fights depression would be good. (Or, less sarcastically, put a copy of her favorite book in the local public library.) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/46 "2003-07-25T16:22:13Z")
You know, this whole thread reminds me of my mother’s cousin’s trials buying gifts for her mother-in-law many years ago, when ladies still wore gloves. One year for Christmas they bought MIL a lovely pair of kid gloves. She _sent them back._ with the comment, “I already HAVE gloves.” Some people you just can’t please. Maybe you should give your mom a big Miss Manners book since she seems to be etiquette-impaired. Just because a gift is from your child doesn’t give you special rights to break etiquette rules and complain about it. ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/47 "2003-07-25T17:00:05Z")
How about a years subscription to a magazine she likes? Or a golden toilet? ---
**Author:** ![greck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ab992/32.png) [@greck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greck)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/48 "2003-07-25T17:04:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fizzygoodmakefeelnice \* > \*\*How about a years subscription to a magazine she likes? > \*\* I second that, I hear “sockinthenose!” -the magazine for people who don’t like anything- has pretty good articles. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/49 "2003-07-25T17:12:47Z")
Like I said, Cook’s Illustraited; best magazine going. ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/50 "2003-07-25T17:37:44Z")
Hey, its not just woman and its not just old people who are like this. I too am one of these people “who doesn’t like anything”. Well, its not that I don’t like anything, its just anything that I’d want would be too expensive/obscure to reasonably expect as a gift. I really don’t like it when people ask “…hey, so what do you want for []…” How am I supposed to respond??? Having said that, I’m not really that hard to shop for since I’m a sucker for cheese and kitsch. I love tacky, pointless knick knacks. ---
**Author:** ![AV8R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AV8R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AV8R)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/51 "2003-07-25T17:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > ## quote: > > ## What Do You Get For Someone Who Doesn’t Like Anything? > > Nothing. It sounds like she doesn’t deserve any gifts. > > But first, ask her–just say “What do you want?” If she doesn’t give any hints, say you won’t get her anything. If she says “Oh, I don’t want anything…” take her seriously. If the poster was sincere, the above quote is just absolutely crummy advice. Gift giving is an expression of love/friendship/etc. Yeah, it’s annoying when someone won’t give you any ideas when asked, but you just have to accept the fact that some people are too lazy or uncreative to come up with anything. Even if they say they don’t want anything, blowing off their birthday will only lead to bitterness. No matter what they say, everyone wants to feel special on their birthday. On the other hand, the following is one of the best things I’ve ever read regarding gifts: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \* > \*\* … Why can’t people recognize that a gift, ANY gift given sincerely, is a precious, wonderful gesture. It means that someone cares enough about you to put some thought, effort, and/or cash toward expressing to you that they appreciate your existence. Think of how many people spend their holidays alone, talk to waitresses and bartenders as their main source of socializing, and/or jump off a bridge because they feel that no one cares about them. > … > Be grateful for friends bearing gifts, people. It means you are loved. The object is immaterial; it’s the person bringing it who counts. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![lesa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/34f0e0/32.png) [@lesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/52 "2003-07-25T19:10:18Z")
What about jewelry? You say she doesn’t want anything. But then you only talk about books and movies. Maybe you don’t realize books and movies make up a tiny subset of what people want for gifts. Tiny. Here are some other ideas: Jewelry Coin set from the year she was born Cool kitchen gadget Cool craft gadget Set of silver frames. (This is something I got my aunt for Christmas. Ten silver frames for $20. She loved it.) Prepaid visit to a spa You should also consider that as an English teacher, reading is her job. Buying her a book is like buying flowers for a florist. Try to think of something interesting and original. I just googled “mother’s day gift” to get some ideas, and found a listing for a Bloody Mary Gift Set! So there’s lots of ideas out there - maybe too many. Oh, and don’t overlook the very valuable “You Collect This Now” school of gift giving. A few years ago I was interested in collectible Barbies. My brother bought me a couple for Christmas and then he was set. Every birthday and Christmas, he knew what to get me. Can you get your mom collectible plates, teddy bears, tea pots, or Christmas villiage buildings? If there’s anything like that she might like, you could be set for years. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/53 "2003-07-25T20:09:16Z")
Let me throw in some more comments, and I thank you all again… Cooking/Kitchen–she doesn’t. I mean, she makes food, but she doesn’t “cook”, if you get my meaning. Collectibles–“That stuff’s just junk” Sock in the nose–A good idea, but she’s so tiny, it’d probably put her through a wall. Craft–She doesn’t. Coins–“I’d rather have the money.” Magazine–Nice idea, but she doesn’t read any (that I know of). Drink/Alcohol/Wineglasses–She doesn’t. She also doesn’t entertain or have people over, so that gear is out. ---
**Author:** ![BooksWoods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooksWoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooksWoods)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/54 "2003-07-25T20:20:37Z")
An earlier poster gave you the perfect gift idea. A family photo (or collage of family photos) framed. If she doesn’t like _that_, f\*\*\* her. ---
**Author:** ![AV8R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AV8R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AV8R)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/55 "2003-07-25T21:08:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*I guess a sock in the nose is out of the question? \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kittenblue \* > \*\*A bookmark, and a Borders gift card, and a sock in the nose. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BooksWoods \* > \*\*And yeah, if those don’t work, a SITN. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by voguevixen \* > \*\*“Ch-ch-ch Chia! Ch-ch-ch-chia Pet!” > Or a sock in the nose. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by thatDDperson \* > \*\*Your basic refillable Sign O’Love for your Momster. The sock in the nose would be nice, but that’s more a gift one gives to please ones self. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by greck \* > \*\*I hear “sockinthenose!” -the magazine for people who don’t like anything- has pretty good articles. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GMRyujin \* > \*\*Sock in the nose–A good idea… \*\* Get her several pairs of _ **socks** _. 🙂 Some fancy ones, some plain ones, whatever. She’ll think it’s practical, she might actually use them, but to you (because of this tread) it will be hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![StanDup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@StanDup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StanDup)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/56 "2003-07-25T21:21:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pezz \* > > \*\*And theres always the good old 19th century guillotine. The possibilities with that thing are endless. \*\* It _slices_, it _dices_! ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/57 "2003-07-26T01:20:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by greck \* > \*\* > I hear “sockinthenose!” -the magazine for people who don’t like anything- has pretty good articles. \*\* Don’t lie…you only get it for the centerfold! 😉 Seriously, the best gift I ever gave my mom cost me about $3. I went on eBay and found a near-mint copy of her favorite childhood book that my brother and I had destroyed when we were kids. (“Silly Pilly and his Rollerskates” for anyone interested.) She almost started crying she was so estatic. She keeps it propped up on the dresser next to her bed (!). I guess the trick is to get someone something really obscure that they never even knew they wanted. Maybe there’s something she USED to like and then forgot about? Does she maybe complain about “kids today” and their crap and fondly remember something from her own childhood? (“Moxie” cola? Mary Jane candies? A slinky? The movie she saw on her first date with your dad? Saddle shoes? I’m just tossing out ideas here.) She might get a kick out of something she considers a “blast from the past.” Maybe an old magazine from the day she was born? (I always like to look at the old ads, etc.) I always appreciate a gift, but I appreciate it more if I can tell the person put some thought into making it special for ME personally rather than grasping at straws. (There are plenty of “generic” type gifts you can give anyone, but it’s so great when someone gives you something and says “I immediately thought of you when I saw this!”) ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/58 "2003-07-26T03:31:05Z")
I second the idea of getting here something incredibly _useful_. She’ll be shocked! Maybe a box of lightbulbs or something… ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/59 "2003-07-26T03:49:08Z")
I don’t think I’m old enough to get away with giving socks as a gift. Besides, who said “Do unto others?” I know my reaction is “Oh. Lovely. Socks. Nothing says you care like Wal-Mart socks.” ---
**Author:** ![thatDDperson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@thatDDperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatDDperson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681/60 "2003-07-26T05:53:19Z")
You mentioned that your Mom is tiny. Does she have one of those rolling stepstools that you can put your foot on it, and it stops, is still? Less cumbersome than carrying a regular stepstool around, and if she has anything that’s out of reach, she might like it. If she’s arranged her life at a convenient level, there still may be a few things she could use it for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-get-for-someone-who-doesnt-like-anything/190681.md?page=2)